Tag Archives: skin care

Post navigation

By Aimee Blakemore – Stratum C Brand Manager Stratum C Menopause Skin Care has recently been partnering with other organisations to find the best solutions for menopause management and we have had the opportunity to test some fabulous products that … Continue reading →

The term ‘antioxidant’ is used a lot in the health and beauty industry, and whilst we all know that they are good for us, we thought we would take this opportunity to bring you a more detailed guide to what they do and how they work. Continue reading →

This month celebrates 25 years of NAMS – The North American Menopause Society. To celebrate, they have published a ‘Special Feature’ in the The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, which could help change the way that physicians and health care professionals treat menopause, for the better.

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), one of the largest internationally recognized professional communities addressing health issues during Menopause, has published a comprehensive study on Menopause and it’s symptoms, officially stating that menopause is a physiological health issue, and detailing all the areas where menopause can affect the average menopausal female.

This is fantastic news for menopausal women everywhere and a great step forward in finding specific and effective ways to treat the changes that Menopause brings. The paper is based on an earlier book published by NAMS in 2000, and is publicly available on the NAMS website for all to read.

Just some of the changes talked about in the study include: skin care, hair care, mood swings, increased risk of osteoporosis, and sleep disturbance – just to name a few!

The paper, which has been published in The Journal of The North American Menopause Society, will now be used as an official guide for medical and healthcare professionals everywhere for clinical recommendations to the care of their menopausal patients – a huge break through for Menopause and women everywhere.

The paper was published to celebrate 25th anniversary of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS) and we expect to see great things from the healthcare and medical community following the publication of this insightful feature.

For more information on how to address skin concerns during menopause, visit www.stratumc.com, where you will find advice and detailed information on the effects menopause can have on the skin, in additional to helpful tips on healthy nutrition through menopause. Plus, Stratum C products provide innovative skin care to improve skin health and give your skin a boost, when you need it most.

There has recently been a flurry of news articles stating that we should be wary of some beauty products which may contain chemicals such as phthalates. There are some chemicals that we come across everyday in the environment, plastics and other household items which have traces of harmful ingredients – but we want to reassure you that it is not likely that you will come across these in your beauty regime. Here’s why…

Ingredients such as DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate), are banned from use in Cosmetics in the UK and the rest of the EU.

A recent study from Washington University School of Medicine found a link between a group of chemical ingredients and early menopause – which are sometimes known as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals can be found in some household products, but these are more likely to be strong cleaning products, than the type you lather onto your skin.

In the US, it is not illegal to use substances like DEHP in cosmetics, however these products would not be allowed to be sold in the EU due to the regulations currently in place. When talking to Cosmetics Design, Dr Chris Fowler – Director General of CTPA said, “DEHP is not expressly forbidden in the US and so it is possible some companies continue to use it, though companies making the same product for the US and EU could not do so because DEHP is expressly forbidden in the EU.”

Flower continues, “At no time do the authors of the study draw a link between their findings and ingredients in make-up and personal care products, as suggested in some of the alarming headlines.”

A senior author from the study, Amber Cooper, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, said, “This study doesn’t prove causation, but the associations raise a red flag and support the need for further research.” 15 of the 111 chemicals tested, showed the need for further investigation.

The findings do however, bring to light the concerns over cosmetic production and show that consumers should be made more aware of the implications of their purchase. We have put together some tips to help make sure you can reduce the contact you have with harmful chemicals and make smart choices about your cosmetic products.

1. Read the ingredients lists on every cosmetic product you buy. If you are unsure about a particular ingredient and want to find out more about the impact it will have on your skin and body, visit the EWG Cosmetics database which is the largest cosmetics and ingredients database. http://www.ewg.org

2. Be careful where and who you buy your products from. Make sure that the company you buy from have recommendations and good reviews in the media, or from secondary retailers or consumers. Buy your cosmetics from reliable sources and if you are unsure about a product or company, look them up online. If you choose to buy products outside of the EU, check the ingredients list before you buy.

3. When you are using household products – make sure you wear gloves to minimise the direct contact with chemicals on the skin as these can be absorbed and cause possible health issues. Always follow the safety and storage advice on the container.

4. Recycle, but do not re-use. Some types of plastic container can contain chemicals which filter into your food and drink when left under heated conditions. Avoid re-heating food in plastic containers, and do not re-use drink’s bottles that have been exposed to heat.

5. Do not put plastic in your mouth. Some types of plastic until recently, were still used in the making of children’s toys, for example, and some of us may take to chewing on accessories like bits of stationery, where we can absorb the nasty chemicals.

6. Know your chemicals. By educating yourself on what’s good or bad for your body, you can avoid any nasty trips to the doctor. For example, not all phthalates are harmful and whilst some phthalates may be found in lipstick, they will not be the harmful type that may also be found in toilet cleaner. Not all man-made chemicals are bad for you, but there may still be some that you would rather avoid.

All ingredients in Stratum C Menopause Skin Care products are available on the website. Visit http://www.stratumc.com or feel free to contact Forme Laboratories for any more information regarding the products and ingredients. All Stratum C products are phthalate, paraben, DHA, BHA, BHT, formaldehyde and MI free and use only the gentlest of preservatives.

Hyaluronic Acid is known by many names – Hyaluron, Hyaluronan, ‘HA’ and Sodium Hyaluronate. It’s reputation for being ‘the anti-ageing miracle ingredient’ in recent years has made it a must have for beauty buff’s and skin care companies alike. It … Continue reading →

As we all know, menopause can bring with it many unwanted symptoms. Most notably, what we like to call ‘power surges’ that can make it feel like you have just run through a burning fire pit. Though during the winter … Continue reading →